The Armed Forces of Nigeria maintains dominance over terrorists, criminal elements, economic saboteurs and violent agitators, degrading their capabilities and neutralising over 102 suspects across the country in July 2026.

Troops also arrested 345 terrorists/criminals, rescued 393 kidnapped civilians and recovered 59 arms, and 1,118 rounds of ammunition during the month.

Director Defence Media Operations (DMO), Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, who disclosed this on Friday during monthly operational briefing, said that 57 insurgents surrendered to troops during the period.

The breakdown shows that troops neutralised 54 fighters, arrested 102 terrorists, rescued 102 kidnapped victims, and facilitated the surrender of 57 insurgents and their families in the North East.

In the North West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma neutralised 33 fighters, arrested 66 terrorists and rescued 191 kidnapped victims. Troops of the three Theatres in North Central killed 15 terrorists, arrested 148, and rescued 53 victims in July.

While in the South South and South East, troops rescued a total of 47 victims – 37 in the South South and 10 in the South East, and arrested 29 – three criminal elements – three in the South South and 26 in the South East. No killing was recorded.

The DMO   said that Troops of Operation Delta Safe sustained anti-kidnapping and economic protection operations across Akwa Ibom, Edo and Rivers States, dismantled 18 illegal refining sites, and recovered over 250,500 litres of petroleum products

He said that on 4 July, troops dismantled a major illegal refining complex in the Egboama/Ogbogolo area, Ahoada West LGA of Rivers State, deactivating three refining sites and recovered stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil.

“This was reinforced on 5 and 7 July with the deactivation of two other illegal refining sites within the Orashi National Forest. Troops discovered additional illegal refining sites within Ogbogolo community, Ahoada East LGA during operations conducted from 11to 22 July.

“Specifically, anti-oil theft operations conducted on 19 and 22 July resulted in the discovery of five illegal bunkering camps at Egboama and Egbogolo area. Subsequently, approximately 25,000 litres of stolen crude, and 2,000 litres of suspected illegal Premium Motor Spirit at Okrika, Okrika LGA were recovered.”